IndiGo’s Meltdown Turns Into Air India’s Cash Grab

IndiGo’s recent operational breakdown pushed Indian aviation into chaos. More than 600 flights were cancelled, airports turned disorderly, and domestic airfares touched shocking levels. The airline also stopped departures from Delhi until Friday midnight after a miscalculation in pilot staffing.

New DGCA rules trigger disruption

The meltdown began after the DGCA issued revised crew duty guidelines. With fewer pilots available than expected, schedules collapsed and passengers faced last minute cancellations and delays.

Domestic flight fares hit extreme highs

Ticket prices soared across major routes, making travel unaffordable for many. Delhi to Bengaluru reached nearly ₹70,000 on Air India before selling out. Routes to Goa and Pune ranged from ₹30,000 to ₹56,000. A traveller even shared a Bhubaneswar to Kolkata Air India ticket priced at ₹53,320, despite the short distance.

International flights become cheaper than domestic

In a surprising contrast, global routes were far more affordable. Delhi to London started near ₹25,000, while Delhi to Thailand dropped below ₹10,000. Many online users joked that flying to New York or Tokyo suddenly felt more reasonable than travelling within India.

A failure in planning and protection

The situation underlines the need for solid workforce planning and better coordination among airlines and regulators. Passengers are calling for clear communication and safeguards to ensure airlines do not take advantage during operational breakdowns.